VESAL 2026 Conference Theme: Education in a Changing World: Balancing Culture, Equity, and Transformative and Emerging Literacies

The 2026 Visible Conference on Educational Studies and Applied Linguistics (VESAL) embraces the theme “Education in a Changing World: Balancing Culture, Equity, and Transformative and Emerging Literacies.” This theme aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
We gather scholars, practitioners, and leaders committed to reimagining education for dynamic global realities. We support culturally rooted and community-responsive learning. We champion equitable systems that bridge opportunity gaps and prioritize access for all learners. We recognize emerging literacies—from digital and AI fluency to environmental and global citizenship skills—as essential competencies for a just and sustainable future.
Our theme celebrates cultural diversity while strengthening inclusive practices. It prepares learners to thrive in fast-evolving ecosystems. It fosters collaborative partnerships that empower resilient educational landscapes.
Join us. Be part of building empowered, culturally conscious, innovative learning societies. Together, we cultivate transformative literacies that uplift communities and advance equity in a world in motion.
Scroll down to explore VESAL 2026—where tradition, innovation, and global futures meet.

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About VESAL

Tishk International University organizes an annual conference on Educational Sciences to advance equitable access to knowledge and information. The VESAL Conference brings together researchers, practitioners, educators, and scholars from all levels and domains of teaching worldwide. We warmly invite international and local participants— including in-service teachers and teacher candidates— to join us in Erbil, Iraq.

VESAL 2026 aims to enhance the region’s educational ecosystem by facilitating exchanges with leading international experts and researchers, and by fostering sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

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About VESAL

Scope

The 2026 VESAL Conference welcomes scholarship in educational studies, language teaching, and language education in the broadest sense. In addition, the conference embraces research and critical inquiry in English literature and literature in English, recognizing the role of literary studies in shaping cultural awareness, identity, and global understanding.

Submissions may address the contemporary interplay between tradition and innovation, local and global influences, progressive and conservative perspectives, stability and disruption, and national and global identities as they shape educational theory, policy, practice, and literary discourse. We anticipate strong participation from leading academics, education professionals, literary scholars, and policymakers working across these domains.

Alongside this broad scope, VESAL 2026 places special emphasis on the theme of culture, equity, and new literacies—with particular attention to developing transformative literacies for an AI-shaped future.

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Scope

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Ashraf Riadh Abdullah Senior Lecturer at the University of Mosul

Dr. Ashraf Riadh Abdullah is a senior lecturer at the University of Mosul, College of Arts, Department of English Language. His research interests include studies in sociolinguistics, language and identity, virtual identity, internet pragmatics and how language influences Artificial Intelligence. His publications include a chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Language and Digital Communication on virtual identity along with a number of other research papers. He has supervised 15 students at postgraduate level so far and has presented at a number of international conferences including being keynote speaker at the sociolinguistics symposium held at the University of Leicester in the UK.

Dr. Ashraf Riadh Abdullah Senior Lecturer at the University of Mosul

Dr. Ashraf Riadh Abdullah is a senior lecturer at the University of Mosul, College of Arts, Department of English Language. His research interests include studies in sociolinguistics, language and identity, virtual identity, internet pragmatics and how language influences Artificial Intelligence. His publications include a chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Language and Digital Communication on virtual identity along with a number of other research papers. He has supervised 15 students at postgraduate level so far and has presented at a number of international conferences including being keynote speaker at the sociolinguistics symposium held at the University of Leicester in the UK.

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Dr. Mayar Farrag ElsayedHead of the Marketing & Innovation Department at the Egyptian Chinese University

Dr. Mayar Farrag Elsayed is an academic leader, international speaker, executive educator, and Associate Professor of Marketing with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, leadership, and human capability development. She currently serves as Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development and Head of the Marketing & Innovation Department at the Egyptian Chinese University. Her work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, leadership, communication, and future-ready skills, with particular interest in how human intelligence and AI can work together to enhance learning and professional development. A published researcher and experienced educator, she is committed to preparing educators, leaders, and learners to thrive in the age of AI while strengthening the human capabilities that remain essential in education.

Dr. Mayar Farrag ElsayedHead of the Marketing & Innovation Department at the Egyptian Chinese University

Dr. Mayar Farrag Elsayed is an academic leader, international speaker, executive educator, and Associate Professor of Marketing with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, leadership, and human capability development. She currently serves as Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development and Head of the Marketing & Innovation Department at the Egyptian Chinese University. Her work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, leadership, communication, and future-ready skills, with particular interest in how human intelligence and AI can work together to enhance learning and professional development. A published researcher and experienced educator, she is committed to preparing educators, leaders, and learners to thrive in the age of AI while strengthening the human capabilities that remain essential in education.

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Dr. Kamal BewarSenior Director of Student Success at Salt Lake Collage

Dr. Kamal Bewar is an educator, author, and community leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education, teaching, student success, intercultural education, and leadership development. He served for ten years with the United States Department of Defense as an Assistant Professor, teaching Kurdish language, Middle Eastern culture, and history. He currently works at Salt Lake Community College, supporting student achievement, equity, belonging, and educational access. Dr. Bewar is also the Founder and President of the Kurdish Community of Utah and an accomplished writer whose work explores refugee experiences, cultural identity, leadership, and the Kurdish-American experience.

Dr. Kamal BewarSenior Director of Student Success at Salt Lake Collage

Dr. Kamal Bewar is an educator, author, and community leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education, teaching, student success, intercultural education, and leadership development. He served for ten years with the United States Department of Defense as an Assistant Professor, teaching Kurdish language, Middle Eastern culture, and history. He currently works at Salt Lake Community College, supporting student achievement, equity, belonging, and educational access. Dr. Bewar is also the Founder and President of the Kurdish Community of Utah and an accomplished writer whose work explores refugee experiences, cultural identity, leadership, and the Kurdish-American experience.

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Mr. Fared Salah HassoPrincipal of Cambridge International School – Hawler

Fared Salah Hasso is an educational leader and international education professional with more than a decade of experience in school leadership, professional development, organizational improvement, and community engagement. He currently serves as Principal of Cambridge International School – Hawler, where he focuses on strengthening educational standards, developing staff capacity, and fostering an inclusive and high-performing learning environment. Alongside his school leadership role, he leads and contributes to international educational projects across Baghdad, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Fared holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL and a BA (Hons) in Business and Management from the University of Portsmouth. His work centers on developing people, strengthening institutions, and creating sustainable educational opportunities across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

Mr. Fared Salah HassoPrincipal of Cambridge International School – Hawler

Fared Salah Hasso is an educational leader and international education professional with more than a decade of experience in school leadership, professional development, organizational improvement, and community engagement. He currently serves as Principal of Cambridge International School – Hawler, where he focuses on strengthening educational standards, developing staff capacity, and fostering an inclusive and high-performing learning environment. Alongside his school leadership role, he leads and contributes to international educational projects across Baghdad, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Fared holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL and a BA (Hons) in Business and Management from the University of Portsmouth. His work centers on developing people, strengthening institutions, and creating sustainable educational opportunities across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

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Important Dates

Time Description
25-August-2026 Full Manuscript Submission Deadline (Extended)
1-September-26  Review Results
20-September-26 Camera-Ready Manuscript Deadline
1-October-26 Notification of Acceptance/Rejection
21-22 – October-26 VESAL 2026 Conference Dates.

You can download Abstract Books and Proceeding Books of Previous VESALS

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